RSPB urges Hampshire residents to take part in the ‘world’s largest wildlife survey’

THE RSPB is asking Hampshire residents to support them in the ‘world’s largest wildlife survey’ by recording the sightings of birds in their gardens this weekend (January 30 to 31).
The RSPB is calling on Hampshire residents to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch.The RSPB is calling on Hampshire residents to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch.
The RSPB is calling on Hampshire residents to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch.

As part of the Big Garden Birdwatch, residents are being asked to spend an hour of their time recording the number and different species of birds they can see either in their gardens or from balconies and to submit their results to the wildlife charity.

Running for over 40 years, the project looks to monitor the country’s bird populations to seen any trends of change.

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Over 17,000 Hampshire residents took part in last year’s event in which house sparrows were the most commonly seen bird along with blue tits and starlings.

Other birds featuring in the Hampshire ‘top ten’ were goldfinches, robins and long tailed tits which saw a five per cent increase on the previous year’s sightings.

With an increasing burden on mental wellbeing as people struggle to cope with the ongoing impact of lockdown, the charity hopes as well as providing a snapshot of the county's bird health it can also support peoples’ mental health by allowing them to ‘reconnect with nature’.

RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight said: ‘We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider world and bring enormous joy. Lockdown brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people.

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‘There has been a broad and much needed realisation that nature is an important and necessary part of our lives especially for our mental health and wellbeing.

‘It is only by us understanding how our wildlife is faring that we can protect it. We know that nature is in crisis but together we can take action to solve the problems facing nature.’

Resources to help people identify different bird species, recording sheets and a range of other activities can be found on the charity’s website.

The RSPB is also running the Big Schools Birdwatch until the end of February half-term. Details for teachers and schools can again be found on the charity's website.

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